Long Run Inflation: Persistence and Central Bank Independence

Abstract

This paper provides novel evidence of the long-run effects of central bank independence on inflation. We show that improvements in central bank independence have a much larger impact on inflation in the long run compared to the short run. Contrary to most of the previous literature, our results also show that the long-run effects of central bank independence on inflation are larger in developing countries. We find similar effects using linear and instrumental variable local projection methods. Finally, we show that central bank independence also reduces inflation persistence, reinforcing the effectiveness of monetary policy.